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Indian Express
3 days ago
- Climate
- Indian Express
Uttarkashi Cloudburst: What should India do to avoid further climate catastrophe
The recent tragic cloudburst in Uttarkashi, which devastated the village of Dharali and surrounding areas, is a stark reminder of how climate change is intensifying natural disasters in India. As heavy rains caused mountainsides to collapse and floodwaters to inundate homes, it became clear that our traditional infrastructure and disaster preparedness measures are woefully inadequate in the face of a rapidly changing climate. This event is not isolated. Across the Hindu Kush Himalayan regions, we are witnessing an alarming increase in extreme weather phenomena — sudden cloudbursts, flash floods, landslides — that threaten lives, livelihoods, and ecosystems. What makes these incidents more devastating today is their increasing frequency and intensity, which scientific research links directly to the accelerated impacts of climate change. The Himalayas, often called the 'Water Tower of Asia,' are especially sensitive to climate shifts. Rising temperatures cause glaciers to melt and increase the amount of atmospheric moisture. Warmer air holds more water vapour — approximately 7 per cent more for every degree Celsius of warming. This extra moisture often results in intense, localised rainfall events, like cloudbursts, which are sudden, intense downpours over small areas. These events can dump significant amounts of water in minutes, causing floods, landslides, and destruction. Recent studies have shown that cloudburst incidents in the Hindu Kush Himalayas have increased in frequency and intensity over the past few decades. The changing climate has destabilised weather patterns, making monsoon rains more erratic. Sometimes, the monsoon arrives late; other times, it unleashes a deluge. The terrain amplifies these effects, as steep slopes and loose soil make landslides more likely, while narrow valleys funnel floodwaters into villages, causing sudden and severe damage. Despite the growing threat, India's response to climate-induced disasters remains sluggish and fragmented. Traditional infrastructure — dams, drains, embankments — is designed for historical weather patterns and is often overwhelmed by the intensity of current events. There is a glaring lack of real-time monitoring infrastructure in the Himalayas and other vulnerable regions. Automatic Weather Stations (AWS), essential for capturing real-time data on temperature, rainfall, and atmospheric pressure in remote and high-altitude areas, are sparse. Effective early warning systems are critical in saving lives and reducing damage during natural disasters. AWS and advanced meteorological models can provide real-time data that forecasts extreme weather events well in advance when fed into predictive algorithms. This allows authorities to issue timely alerts, evacuate vulnerable populations, and mobilise relief efforts before catastrophe strikes. International examples, such as Nepal's pioneering use of early warning systems for mountain disasters, illustrate how technology can mitigate risks when integrated into a comprehensive disaster preparedness plan. Instead of relying solely on grey infrastructure (such as dams and embankments), India must embrace ecological solutions — restoring wetlands, mangroves, and natural sponge zones that absorb floodwaters and reduce runoff. These nature-based solutions are cost-effective, sustainable, and adaptable to changing climate conditions. In the mountains, land-use planning must prioritise the preservation of forests and natural buffers that minimise landslides and stabilise slopes. Reforestation and afforestation programs should be expanded, especially in areas prone to erosion. These measures increase the resilience of local ecosystems and communities, helping them withstand climate change shocks. Governments must also mainstream climate adaptation into urban planning, infrastructure development, and disaster response strategies. This means allocating dedicated funds for climate risk assessments, investing in resilient infrastructure, and empowering local communities with knowledge and resources. Community-based disaster management should be prioritised, particularly in vulnerable rural and hill areas. Residents often possess valuable traditional knowledge about weather patterns and natural warning signs, which can be integrated into official early warning systems for more effective responses. Firstly, expanding and modernising our weather monitoring infrastructure, especially in the Himalayas and fragile mountain regions, is essential. Establishing more Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) and utilising satellite-based observation systems can provide real-time data critical for early warnings. Secondly, integrating ecological solutions into broader infrastructure planning is vital. Thirdly, climate change adaptation must be embedded within policy frameworks. This involves mainstreaming climate resilience into urban and rural planning, incentivising community participation, and ensuring that marginalised groups near drainage channels and other vulnerable zones receive special attention during rehabilitation efforts. Finally, India must recognise that climate change is a systemic challenge requiring coordinated action at all local, national, and international levels. Investing in research, fostering innovation in climate resilience technologies, and partnering with regional neighbours can bolster adaptive capacity across the Himalayas and beyond. The writer is a Clinical Associate Professor (Research) and Research Director at Bharti Institute of Public Policy, Indian School of Business (ISB)
The Hindu
22-06-2025
- Science
- The Hindu
Kanjirappally taps technology for disaster preparedness
With landslides and flash floods on the rise due to extreme rainfall events, the eastern high ranges of Kottayam are gearing up for a tech-enabled defence by installing rain gauges to establish an early warning system to improve disaster preparedness. As part of this initiative, the Wayanad-based Hume Centre for Ecology and Wildlife Biology has begun a preliminary study to identify the most vulnerable zones within the Kanjirappally Block. According to officials, rain gauges will be installed in these areas to monitor rainfall trends and assess the risk of potential landslides and floods. 'The project also includes detailed mapping of the region, dividing it into 2.5-sq.-km grids based on rainfall data. This grid-based approach will help pinpoint disaster-prone areas and support the development of focused mitigation and preparedness plans,' they said. With precipitation levels regularly exceeding that of neighbouring regions, the Kanjirappaly region is susceptible to climate change-induced hazards. Officials have identified the hill tracts of Vagamon, Kootickal, Enthayar, Elamkadu, Koruthodu and Kanamala as priority zones where the risk of cloudbursts and landslides is especially high. A couple of weeks ago, the Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT), the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST), and the Environmental Resources Research Centre (ERRC) joined forces to deploy an automated landslide warning system in the region. Supported by NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), the commercial arm of ISRO, three Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) have been set up in Theekoy, Poonjar Thekkekara, and Moonnilavu panchayats, all located within the Meenachil river basin. These AWS units continuously track key environmental parameters such as wind speed, humidity, temperature, rainfall, soil moisture, and soil temperature. The real-time data is transmitted to servers at CUSAT, where it is analysed for early signs of potential disasters.
Indian Express
17-05-2025
- Climate
- Indian Express
Mumbai receives heavy rain, Thane and Palghar on yellow alert
After a brief spell of hot and humid days, Mumbai woke up to heavy showers on Saturday morning, ushering in relief from the relative humidity levels, which had surpassed 90 per cent. Indicating that the showers are here to stay, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has said the city would continue to experience moderate showers alongside thunderstorms in the days to come, while Thane and Palghar have been put on yellow alert until Monday. Between 7 am and 10 am, the weather bureau issued at least three nowcast warnings in the metropolis stating the likelihood of 'thunderstorms with lightning, moderate rain and gusty winds'. Data from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's Automatic Weather Station showed that between 8 am and 9 am, the heaviest rain was recorded in the western suburbs where areas like Bandra recorded 20 mm rain in an hour followed by Juhu at 16 mm rain, Marol at 13 mm while Aarey and Goregaon areas received 11 mm rain. Meanwhile, in the island city division, the Malabar Hills area, besides other parts near Nair Hospital, received 14 mm of rain. In the eastern suburbs, Kurla and Powai received 12 mm of rain. On Friday, after a drizzle, Mumbai experienced cloudy skies throughout the day with the maximum temperatures surpassing 34 degrees in the suburbs as well as the island city division. With the rains eluding the region, the humidity levels touched 92 per cent in the Colaba observatory by Saturday morning, which is over 13 per cent above the normal, leaving citizens sweltering. However, relief was ushered in after 7 am, as several pockets of Mumbai as well as neighbouring districts experienced heavy rainfall for over an hour. According to IMD records, in the past 24 hours ending at 8.30 am on Saturday, the Colaba coastal observatory logged 8 mm. In its forecast bulletin, the IMD has said that Mumbai would continue to receive pre-monsoon showers with thunder activity for the next week, which are also forecast to spur a dip in temperatures. Neighbouring districts like Thane, Raigad, Ratnagiri, amongst other parts of the state, meanwhile, have been placed under a yellow warning until Monday.
